New sobering up shelter paves way for rehab

A new sobering-up shelter, a transitional after-care centre for people with chronic drinking problems, and more renal dialysis beds will officially open in Tennant Creek today.

New buildings for the facilities run by the Barkly Region Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Group (BRADAAG) were built with $2.1 million in federal funding.

The NT Government's Member for Barkly, Gerry McCarthy, says the 16-bed sobering up shelter is the first step in a program to get chronic drinkers into rehabilitation.

"It's a true care model where clients that abuse alcohol can be held safely in a safe environment outside of the police cells, they are then referred on to address their alcohol issues through BRADAAG programs," he said.

"It's a new facility, 16 beds and it's front-line services to assist with alcohol abuse that relate to people intoxicated in public and it's a service that's been running for a long time but now in brand new infrastructure."

Mr McCarthy says the NT Government has spent $2.7 million to double the number of renal dialysis stations in Tennant Creek, allowing treatment for 32 more patients a day.

"This additional eight stations will mean there will be more people able to come home from Alice Springs," he said.